Leica M (Typ 262) Digital Camera Body, Black Anodized Finish {24MP} 10947

Leica M (Typ 262): the stripped-down full-frame rangefinder.

The Typ 262 is what you get when Leica removes everything a rangefinder shooter doesn't need. No video, no live view, no cluttered menu system, just a 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor, the Maestro processor, and the optical rangefinder experience that M shooters have built careers around. The 0.68x viewfinder magnification is the interface, full stop. You focus manually, you compose deliberately, and the camera stays out of your way.

At 680g with battery, the body is light enough to carry all day without thinking about it. The aluminum top plate and simplified controls mean fewer decisions between you and the shot. ISO runs from 200 to 6400 with expansion down to 100, and the shutter spans 60 seconds to 1/4000 sec, enough range for available-light documentary work or controlled studio shooting. AE bracketing covers up to 5 frames, and RAW capture in DNG keeps post-processing options open. The 3 fps continuous rate is modest, but discrete, quiet shooting was the design intent here.

This is a focused tool at a lower entry point than the Typ 240 it was derived from, and that trade-off, no video, no live view, real rangefinder discipline, is exactly what its intended audience was asking for.

Who It's For

Street photographers working in available light will appreciate the quiet shutter, the unobtrusive form factor, and manual-only focus that forces a slower, more deliberate approach. Documentary and travel photographers who shoot primarily in RAW get a 24MP full-frame file with no excess firmware getting in the way. Collectors and M-system shooters already invested in Leica glass gain a cost-accessible body that uses every M-mount lens natively. Photographers transitioning from film M bodies will find the control layout and optical rangefinder workflow familiar without the learning curve of feature-heavy mirrorless systems.

Key Features

• 24MP full-frame CMOS sensor with Maestro processor
• Optical rangefinder viewfinder, 0.68x magnification, manual focus only
• ISO 200-6400 (expandable to 100), shutter 60 sec to 1/4000 sec
• RAW DNG capture only, no in-camera JPEG option
• 3 fps continuous shooting, AE bracketing up to 5 frames
• Aluminum top plate, 680g body weight, simplified menu system
• Leica M mount, SD/SDHC/SDXC storage, hot shoe for external flash

FAQ

Does the Typ 262 have autofocus?

No - manual focus only via the optical rangefinder. That's the point. If you need AF, this isn't the camera.

Can I shoot video on this?

No video recording at all. The Typ 262 was built to strip that out entirely.

What's the difference between this and the Typ 240?

The 262 drops video, live view, and the full menu system. In exchange, it's 100g lighter, has a quieter shutter, and a simplified control layout. Same 24MP sensor and Maestro processor.

Is there a built-in flash?

No built-in flash. The camera has a hot shoe for external flash, and sync speed is 1/180 sec.

What file format does it shoot?

RAW only, captured as lossless compressed DNG files. No in-camera JPEG option, no white balance adjustments in-camera.

How long does the battery last per charge?

Leica doesn't publish a specific battery life rating for the Typ 262. Plan on 200–400 shots per charge depending on use; carry a spare BP-SCL2 if you're shooting all day.

Can I review images on the back of the camera?

Yes - the 3-inch, 921k-dot LCD is there for that. (If you want no LCD review at all, Leica made the M-D Typ 262 for that purpose.)